Slice receiving mechanism for reciprocating carriage slicing machines



April L. 'METZLER 2,438,937

SL ICE RECEIVING vMECHANISM FOR REGIPROCATING CARRIAGE SLICING MACHINES Filed April 4, 1944 ll Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 074,6 as Z. MtTZlL-k' ATTORNEY April 6, c, L R 2,438,937

SLICE RECEIVING MECHANISM FOR RECIPROCATING CARRIAGE SLICING MACHINES Filed April 4, l944 l1 Shgets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I r I I SLICE RECEIVING MECHANISM FOR RECIPROCATING CARRIAGE SLICING MACHINES p 1948. c. L. METZLER 2,438,937 SLICE RECEIVING MECHANISM FOR RECIPROCATING CARRIAGE SLICING MACHINES Filed April 4, 1944 ll Sheets-Sheet;

ATTORNEY l1 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 6, 1948.

SLICE RECEIVING MECHANISM FOR RECIPROCATING CARRIAGE SLICING MACHINES Filed April 4, 1944 INVENTOR (#45455 1. fimme I \4 'ATTORNEY April 6,v 1948. c. METZLER 2,438,937 SLICE RECEIVING MECHANISM FOR RECIPROCATING CARRIAGE SLICING' MACHINES Filed April 4, 1944 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 B er I ATTORNEY April 6, 1948. c. METZLER SLICE RECEIVING MECHANISM FOR RECIPROCATING CARRIAGE SLICING MACHINES 1i Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed April 4, 1944 R2 Y o E T N NW. R W m mm m a 6v ATTORNEY April .6, 1948. C. L. METZLER SLICE RECEIVING MECHANISM FOR RECIPROCATING CARRIAGE SLIC ING MACHINES Filed April 4, 1944 l1 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR 0m :5 z. M57210? BY a: Q A u: Q2 3 3: 9: ,F ,w Fm u O0? m 1 v. n v QM. u I I I v 2 8 .1 -i C i1--- M. n3 a 1 a--Hiilfiiiliii NF 1 w v mm :1 3 3 3 $5 M u H NH m 7 mm h E wk W April 6, 1948. c. METZLER SLICE RECEiVINCy MECHANISM FOR RECIPROCATING CARRIAGE SLICING MACHINES- Filed April 4, l944 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR A METZZLE B M4 ATTORNEY April 6 1948. c. L. METZLER 2,438,937

SLICE RECEIVING MECHANISM FOR RECIPROCATING CARRIAGE SLICING MACHINES Filed April 4, 1944 11 Sheets-Sheet l0 5 9. INVENTOR ATTORNEY April 6, 1948. c. L. METZLER SLICE RECEIVING MECHANISM FOR RECIPROCATING CARRIAGE SLICING MACHINES Filed April 4, 1944 ll Sheets-Sheet 11 ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 6, 1948 sues 'RECEIVING MECHANISM FOR RE- CIPROCATING CHINES CARRIAGE SLICING MA- Charles L. Metzler, Palisades Park, N. J., assignmto Globe Slicing Machine Co. Inc., Stamford, Conn, a corporation of New York Application April 4, 1944, Serial No. 529,505

Claims. 1

This invention relates to slicing machines in general and more especially to slicing machines of the type having a rotatable cutting knife mounted on a fixed shaft, an adjustable gauge plate disposed adjacent to the cutting area of the knife, and an object holder reciprocably mounted to move the object from the gauge plate to the cutting area of the knife and back again.

Among the objects of the present invention, it is aimed to provide an improved control mechanism for a slice receiving plate or tray that gradually descends as the slices are received thereon in combination with a slicing machine of the type aforesaid including anchoring means that are releasable when the plate or tray is manually lifted to return to its initial raised position.

Specifically, it is still a further object of the present invention to provide an improved mechanism for removably mounting the arm of the slice receiving tray whereby the same can be expeditiously removed to convert the machine for use when slicing objects such as cabbage and the like, and which removable means lends itself in turn to be readily re-assembled in position for gradually descending as slices are received on the tray.

Specifically, it is still another object of the present invention to provide a platform beneath the knife including a cover that can be raised to cover parts of the operating means that are ordinarily exposed when the slice receiving tray is in use, Without in any way obstructing the platform for the reception of sliced substances, such as sliced cabbage, or for the reception ofa colander or pan to receive sliced substances, such as sliced cabbage.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide another form of cam and cam control for the slice receiving tray.

These and other features, capabilities and advantages of the invention will appear from the subjoined detail description of specific embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective of one embodiment looking at the machine from the rear.

Fig. 2 is a perspective on a smaller scale looking at the machine from the front.

Fig. 3 is a perspective similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2 with the slice receiving tray removed and the cover on the platform raised to cover parts of the operating mechanism that are ordinarily exposed when the slice receiving tray is used. s

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4-4 2 of Fig. 5 of the machine on a scale larger than that illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental plan of the machine illustrated in Fig. 4 with parts thereof shown in section.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the machine with parts broken away and parts in section substantially on the line 1'! of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a fragmental front view substantially on the line 88 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a fragmental section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmental section substantially on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a section on the line I l--H of Fig. 10. i

Fig. 12 is a fragmental section on the line [2-42 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a section on the. line l3- l3 of Fig. 10.

Figs. 14 and 15 are front and side elevations, respectively, of the lower part of the hanger arm.

Fig. 16 is a fragmental end elevation partly in section enlarged of a modification.

Figs. 17 and 18 are fragmental plan views showing two positions respectively of the modification shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 19 is a section on the line Iii-l9 of Fig. 16.

Fig. 20 is a fragmental section of still another embodiment.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged fragmental section on the line 2l-2l of Fig. 20.

In the first embodiment shown, there isprovided a, frame I having side walls 2 and 3, a rear wall having an inclined portion 4 and an upright wall 5 which is inclined slightly to the vertical. The wall 5 has a rounded connection 6 at the top continuing-into its front wall portion 1 which is substantially parallel to the wall portion 5. Associated with the lower end of the wall 1 there is provided a platform 8 which may be removably connected to the wall I. This platform 8 has pivotally connected thereto the cover 9 which in descended position fits into the recess I0 formed in the platform 8 and assumes the position shown in Fig. 2. In raised position, on the other hand, the cover 9 covers the opening II in the front wall I which is ordinarily exposed when the arm 12 and associated slice receiving tray, H are operatively mounted. When the cover 9 is so raised, however, as shown in Fig. 3, the arm I2 and assoclated slice receiving tray l3 are removed.

Motor and knife To one end of the frame I, and looking at the front of the machine, at the left hand end thereof there are mounted and operatively associated the motor l4 and circular knife I 5. The casing of the motor M is secured to the rear wall 5 so that the shaft [5 of the motor extends perpendicularly to and through the wall 5. The shaft I6 is journalled in the sleeve H which extends inwardly from the Wall 5 and has an enlarged portion I5 in which is positioned the worm H! in mesh with the worm wheel 25 mounted on the shaft 2! which has fixed on its lower end the sheave 22 which is connected by the belt 23 with the sheave 24 fixed to the knife [5 and rotatably mounted on the stub shaft 25 fixed in the bracket 25 extending from and secured to the front wall 7. In order to maintain the belt 23 in frictional driven and driving engagement with the sheaves 22 and 25, respectively, there is provided the idler 27 engaging the outer face of the belt 23 between the sheaves 2-2 and 24, the idler 27 being mounted on the lever 28 fulcrumed at 29 and having the arm 35 connected by the spring 3! to the abutment 32, the spring 3! resiliently urging the idler 27 into engagement with the belt 23, in turn to deflect the belt 23 and take up the slack in the same, thereby to maintain effective engagement of the belt 23 on the sheaves 22 and 24 in the Well known manner.

The axis of the stub shaft 25 is substantially parallel to the Wall 1 which in the present instance forms an angle of about thirty degrees to the vertical. This inclination is provided to conform to the gravity feed of the object holder hereinafter to be described. It is, of course, obvious that this gravity feed can be obtained when the angle to the vertical departs from thirty degrees. However, since excellent results have been obtained when the inclination approaches thirty degrees, the disclosure here, 'of course, is to be considered only as one embodiment of this invention. The bracket 26 in the present instance is provided with a bell or dish shaped portion 33 having a shoulder 34 to receive the plate 35 which extends adjacent to the lower face of the disk portion 56 of the knife l5 and then is connected at its rear end to the upper portion of the bracket 25 by suitable fastening means such as the screws 51. This plate 35 has a central opening that just clears the sheave 24 adjacent to the lower face of the disk portion 35. The cutting edge of the knife i5 is formed at the outer edge of the cone shaped portion 58 of the knife blade [5 which cone shaped portion 33 in turn has a shoulder 39 which is disposed adjacent to the disk 40 secured to the bracket 4! which in turn is secured to the upper end of the stub shaft 25. The plates 35 and 40 cooperate to prevent the entrance of food particles or particles of the object being sliced to the belt 23 and associated operating parts.

Also extending from and being secured to the Wall 1 there is provided the guard 22 which has a flange 43 resting on the bracket 26, and another flange 44 covering the cutting edge of the blade I 5 for substantially two hundred seventy degrees, leaving the cutting edge of the knife IE only exposed in the cutting area, that is, between the ends 45 and 45 of the guard 32. The guard 22 also has an outer extension 47 to receive the sharpening mechanism 48 pivotally connected at 49 to the bracket 58 secured to the outer portion 5! of the bracket 26.

Gauge plate Arranged in accordance with accepted practice, to the right hand side of the knife l5 there is provided the gauge plate 52. This gauge plate,

see Figs. 7, 9 and 10, is fixed to the arm 53, which in turn is fixed to the bearing 54 slidably mounted on the rod 55. The rod 55 is disposed inside of the frame between the walls 5 and I and the axis of the rod 55 is substantially parallel to the walls '5 and 5. Extending to the right of the bearing 54 is provided the arm. 55 which has a slot to receive the guide plate 51 secured to the partition 53 integral with the front wall 1 of the frame.

The bearing 54, see Fig. 10, also has secured to the rear thereof, the, bracket 59 having fixed thereon the cam 55 shown in front elevation in Fig. 7. The bracket 53 in turn is provided with a slot 5.! extending at right angles to the axis of. the rod 55 to receive the pin 52 at the end of the arm 63 fixed to the multilated worm wheel 64 journalled on the pin 65. The upper face of the gauge plate 52, in accordance with practice, is parallel to the cutting edge of the knife I5 adjustable to different levels according to the thickness of slice to be cut. The mutilated worm wheel 64 is rotatable in turn to determine the level of the gauge plate 52. In the present instance the cam 55 associated with the gauge plate 52 will beadjusted simultaneously with the level adjustment of the gauge plate 52 by th rotation of the mutilated wormwheel 64. Since the cam 55 controls the successive degree of descent of the slice receiving tray 66, hereinafter to be described, the actuation of the mutilated worm wheel 64 will constitute a common adjustment for the two.

Object holder In accordance with this type of machine, there is reciprocably mounted across the gauge plate 52, and into slicing engagement with the knife 5, a carrier known as an object holder 67. This object holder in the present instance has two wings 58 and 69 forming a, dihedral angle with one another and extending substantially perpendicular to the upper face of the gauge plate 52. The wings 58 and 59 are secured to the arm "it which in turn is provided with an extension ll secured to the hanger 72 and having a sleeve '53 slidably mounted onthe horizontally extending rod M. The hanger l2, see particularly Fig. 7, has a goose neck 15 to clear the: belt 23, and associated drive connection between the knife l5 and motor is when the hanger isadvanced to the left hand end of the machine as indicated by the dot and dash line position of the goose neck, T5 in Fig. 7. The lower end of the hanger I2 is provided with the extension l6 mounted in the sleeve i! of the sleeve ill slidably mounted on the rod 78 parallel to the rod 74. The left hand ends of the rods Ed and F8 are connected to the end wall 3 of the frame. The right hand end of the rod la is connected to the wall 2. The right hand end of the rod M, on the other hand, is connected to the partition part 19 of the web 58 (Fig. 7) parallel to the wall 2 and extending down from the curved upper Wall portion, 5 of the frame. Preferably as shown in Figure l, the arm it has an extension having a handle 6i secured thereto, the extension 85 extending to the right of the arm iii and the handle 5i extending to the rear of the extension 85.

In accordance with custom, one of the Wings 58. 59, the wing 68 in the present instance, is provided with a guide rod 82 to receive the sleeve 83 for the weighted arm 84, which engages the upper face of the object being supported by the object holder 67.

The arm 10 preferably is secured to the wings 53 and 69 for ready removal. In the present instance the connection used consists primarily in a seat I19 (Fig. to receive the end I1I of the bracket I12 fixed to the rear end of the wings 68 and 99. The end Ill and seat I19 have registering openings to receive the sleeve I13 on the rod I14. The sleeve I13 has an enlargement I15 to engage the inner end of the end l1I of the bracket I12 when the bracket I12 is positioned as shown in Fig. 5 to hold the wings 69 and 69 above the auge plate 52. The opening in the seat I19 is elongated and receives the sleeve I13 to position the same. The opening in the end IN is similarly slotted to enable the bracket I12 to be removed upwardly out of engagement with the seat I19 in turn to remove the Wings 68 and 69 for cleaning or the like.

The rod I14 extends through the Web I16 between which and the sleeve I13 is positioned a spring I19 normally to urge the sleeve I13 outward. The rod I19 is screw threadedly connected to the nut I19. This rod extends through and is connected to the head I99 protruding from the rear end of the arm 19. This head I99 preferably has a finger piece I8! secured thereto to facilitate turning the head I99. The nut I19 is anchored against rotation in the enlargement I15 so that when the head I89 is turned it will make it possible when pressure is applied to the head I89 to free the end I1I from the seat I19 and enable the wings 99 and 69 to be raised out of engagement with the seat I19. In turn, by this connection, it is possible to adjust the position of the object holder 91 a predetermined distance above the gauge plate 52. When it is desired again to lock the wings 68 and 69 in object holding position, it is only necessary to turn the head :99 and exercise suflicient pressure to enable the end IT! to slide down over the sleeve I13 between the enlargement I15 and the seat I19, and then when the desired position has been located to turn the head I99 until the end I1I is securely anchored in position. In some cases where the attendant desires to slice an object without the use of the object holder, he places the object adjacent to the guiding bracket I92 formed on the gauge plate 52, see Fig.- 10. This shoulder forming bracket, see Fig. 5, has its outer face registering with the end 46 of the guard 42.

The bracket I12 has an upper wall 282 which cooperates with the pin I93 in the enlargement I15 to locate the object holder 61 in its normal lowermost position, that shown in Fig. 4.

Slice receiving tray The slice receiving tray 69 is adapted to be removably connected to the hanger 12 so that in some instances the space under the knife is left free to allow the object being sliced, such as cabbage, to drop directly onto the platform 8 or else into a dish or colander supported on the platform 8.

On the other hand, when the tray 69 is operatively associated with the hanger 12, then by the mechanism now to be described it will descend with each slicing operation a distance substantially corresponding to the thickness of slice being cut.

In order to operatively associate the tray 66 with the hanger 12, there is provided an arm or bracket portion movably connected but otherwise ordinarily permanently connected to the hanger 12, which bracket portion includes the bifurcated bracket 95 shown in Fig. 13. For this operative association there is also provided a second bracket or arm portion more or less permanently connected to the tray 66 but removably associated with the bracket 85. As an instance, the tubular member 86, see Fig. 13.

The bracket is provided with two journals 91 and 99 to receive the shaft 89 which extends through the journals 99 and 9| at the ends of the arms 92 and 93, extending down from the extension I93 of the hanger 12. The arm 92 is provided with a stop arm 94 positioned above the journal 81 and opposite to the stop arm on the bracket 85. Below the journal 81 the arm 92 has a stop arm 96 opposite to the stop arm 91 formed on the bracket 85. The arm 93 has two sleeves 98 and 99 to receive the rod I99, having a cam roller I9I at its upper end and an extension or finger I92 at its lower end connected by the spring I93 to the extension I93 normally to urge the cam roller I9I upwardly in position to cooperate with the cam 69. The rod I99 is provided with a recess I94 to receive the pin I95 at the end of the arm I96 mounted on the shoulder of the friction drive collar I91, rotatably mounted in the extension I 98 of the shaft I99 which is journalled in the bearing H9 formed in the extension I93. tion III between which and the cam face II2 of the drive member I91 there is nested a friction drive roller H3. The shaft I99 in the present instance is pinned to the worm lit in mesh with the worm wheel II5 fixed on the shaft 99.

The journals B1 and 88 of the bracket 85 are rotatably mounted on the shaft 89. However, to anchor the bracket 85 to rotate with the shaft 99, there is provided the ratchet wheel II6, also fixed to rotate with the shaft 89. The bracket 85, on the other hand, has mounted on the side thereof the stub shaft I I 1 on which are mounted the pawls H9 and M9 to cooperate with the ratchet wheel H6. The pawl H9 is provided with an extension or finger I29 and the pawl I I8 is provided with a pin IN to be engaged by the pawl II9 to raise it out of engagement with the ratchet II6 when the finger I29 is raised to clear the pawls I I8 and I I9 from the ratchet wheel I I6. Resiliently to maintain the pawls H8 or I I9 in engagement with a tooth of the ratchet wheel II6, there is provided the spring I22 connecting the stub shaft II1 with the pawl I I8 as shown in Fig. 4. From the foregoing it will thus be seen that as a result of the cooperation between the cam 69 and cam roller I9I, the rod I99 will be actuated in turn to actuate the arm I96 and.

through the ball clutch II3 actuate the sleeve III and thereby the shaft I99 in turn through the worm H4 and worm Wheel I I5 to actuate the shaft 89 and this shaft 89 in turn through the ratchet wheel H6 and pawls I I8 or H9 actuate the bracket 85. This actuation is intermittent as the hanger with the receiving tray 66 is reciprocated to and fro into and out of the cutting area and simultaneously into and out of cam 69 engaging position with the cam roller I9I in turn to effect the gradual descent of the tray 66 to correspond with the successive slices being received.

The bracket 85 and tubular housing 86 constitute parts of a pantographic device relying upon the well known parallelogram control mechanisms. For this purpose the arms I23 and I24 of the hanger 12 extending down below the bearings 99 and 9| are formed into bearings I25 and I26 for receiving the shaft I21 which has fixed thereto and extending at right angles thereto the enlargement I28 which is connected to the The extension I99 has a sleeve por en ages?- rod 429. At :the Iree end :of the bracket 35 there is formed an enlargement 130 having a large tubular opening :l M to receive the key way th lmble I32 and is also providedwith a-small'eropening 1'33, see Fig. 10, flaring outwardly in either direction, with the end of the rod 129 extending part way into the opening 1 33. The tubular member 86 has secured atonezend the guide piece it for the rod I35 and adjacent the other end is provided with a disk .i iifi secured in position by the depressed :lip I31. Ihe disk [35 has a central opening therein through which the rod i 35 extends, theouter :end of the rod having fixed thereto the handle I133 adjacent to which is provided the collar tee s'lidably mounted in the tubular member 18.6 and between which-collar I39 and .disk I33 there .is positioned a spring Ml] to normally maintain the handle 138 in its outermost :position determined by the cross piece Ml which will either engage the outer end of the guide piece 138 or engage the outer face of the key way thimble The key way thimble, see Fig. .11, is provided with a transverse s'lo't M2 to clear the cross piece Id! and permit "it to: slide through the'thim'ble i 32 when the cross piece Ml registers with the slot .li2. On the other hand, the outer face 563 of the thi-mble P32 is inclined or icammed to enable the cross .piece Ml readily to ride up on the same and into the recess Edd. When the cross piece I41, as shown in Fig. 11, rests in the recess Md, the spring Ml! will yieldably maintain the same in such recess and at thesame time urge 'the handle i333 outwardly as shown in Fig. 10. The outer end of the tubular member :86 is fixed :in the sleeve M secured to the crosshead lit pivotally connected at its ends on the :trunnions :l ll and M8 secured to the cheeks Hi9 and L53 extendingdownwardly from the slice receiving tray 6%. Below the trunnions M11 and its there .is pivotally co-nnectedthe rod l5?! toithe innerfaces of the cheekplates M9 and IE6; Thisrod 1'5! 'in turn is secured tothe sleeve I 52 screw "threadedly connected to the rod 1'53. The :rod I53 is provided with a guide 155 which forms :part of the bracket 1 55 secured to the tubular member 8 6. Surrounding :the rod $53 and secured :at one end to the .guide 454- is the tubularmember I56 having a shoulder t5] at its outer end between which and the disk 1'58 on the rod I53 there is compressed the spring 1519, thereby tending to urge the rod the outwardly so that its outer end .l'fiil when located in the opening [3.3 will engage :the free :end of the :rod L29. :By this arrangement, it will appear "that thepantograrlhio device, formed on- :the par-allelograrn principle, operates about the shafts 146, r51, [2?! and 89 to maintain 'theslice receiving. tray 68 in a predetermined position substantially horizontal but preferably slightly inclined :as shown in Fig. '10. To limit the movementoi the rod alfis relative to' the tubular'member l iifi there are, in the present instances, provided the" stop nuts l -tltand 1187i.

When it is desired :to separate the tray 68 andarm 86 .from the bracket 85, and thus clearthe space beneath the knife and gauge plate so that thefsliced material can either drop directly onto theplatform' Bor :on to a dish positioned on the platform 8,it is onlyneccssary to grasp the ham dle I38 and turn it to cause thekey M] to be' turned at right angles to register with the key way I i'Z in'ithe plug l32, thereby compressing the spring ilt, and then withdraw the arm mi with the tray 65L l hereupon' in-order to con'ceal 'the' operating parts of the hanger 12, the cover "9 may he raised into the position shown in Fig. 3 and the platform used either to receive'the sliced material or to support a dish receiving the sliced material.

While :not necessary in every instance, in some instances :it may be desirable to remove the platform 3 and its associated cover '9'. For this reason the platform c ran-d cover 9 sare removably con nected to the frame 2| :by a yieldab'le connection such as the connection 5161 shown in Fig. :4.

On the other hand, when "the slice receiving tray 66 "is secured to the bracket 85, as shown in Fig. 4, it will gradually descend in a step by step manner with eachs licing operation to make room for the succeeding slices as they are received. When the order has been filled and it is then desirable to return'the slice receiving tray 86 to its normal raised position for a fresh order, it is only necessary for the attendant to touch the lower portion of :the plate 65 with his finger and raise it when the pawl mechanism H8, H9 and E23 will idle across the ratchet teeth-of the ratchet wheel H6 without disturbing the position of the shaft '89.

Common adjustment for gauge plate and slice receiving tray The knurled knob 162, see Figs. 1 and 7, is

provided with graduations 16-3 to register with the notch I164 in the end wall 2 adjacent the rounded Wall portion 6; see Figure 1, to control the adjustment of the gauge plate 52 and the step by step descent of the slice receiving tray 65. This knob 1-62 is fixed to the hub-ofthe gear I66 rotatably mounted on the shaft 1:65 which is an extension of bar 14. The gear I55 meshes-with the gear 1 6? fixed on the shaft Hi3 journalled in the wall 2 and partition 58 and having secured thereon the worm 169 in mesh with the worm wheel segment -64.

From the foregoing it will thus appear that depending upon the position of the knob L62, the bracket 54 will be positioned through the pin- 62 and slot 61, thereby in turn to position not only thegauge plate 52 but also the cam 60.

Subsequently, in'the operation of the machine after raising the slice receiving tray .65 to its initial top position, and the object to be sliced is positioned oat-he gauge plate 52 and by the object holder 6?, the ensuing. reciprocation of the object holder 61 willcause the object to be sliced when it reaches the cutting edge of the knife l5, and in: turn as the roller 40-1 strikes the advance edge GUI of the cam it will cause the rod Iiifl to be depressed in turn to actuate the pin HM and thereby the arm H16 in turn to engage the drive roller H3 to cooperate with and rotate the driver member H18 and thereby the shaft H1 9 in turn to actuate the" worm wheel EH) by the worm H4 and through the ratchet wheel HE and anchor to the bracket Baby the pawl or ratchet mechanism H8; "H9 and 120 cause the bracket to receive a descending actuation. The high spot 662 of thercar'n 69 see Fig. 5, is positioned with respect to the cutting field of the knife I5 so that it will be engaged hall the distancebelhg hegotia'ted whenthe rollerlfli engages the face"6'0l, and the other-halt of descent being negotiated when the roller I9I engages the cam face 693 on the returnmovement.

When the cam is so positioned, the descent of the slice receiving tray 99 can be effected when the object holder 91 is moved back and forth a comparatively short distance, just sufi'icient to enable the roller IM to be fully actuated by the cam face 99! in one direction and by the cam face 693 in the other direction. In the operation of the machine, a decided advantage is achieved by this arrangement when, for instance, the object to be sliced is a bologna of comparatively small diameter.

In order to determine the uppermost limit of motion of the gauge plate 52, there is provided the stop I89 secured in the enlargement I35 extending downwardly from the rounded por tion 9 of the frame to serve as an abutment for the upper face of the arm 56.

In the modification shown in Figs. 16, 17, 18 and 19, there is provided an improved adjustable arm I89 instead of the arm I9 of the em-- bodiment shown in Fig. 1.

The wings I89 and I99 of the object holder are fixed to the bracket I9I which in turn has a tapered rear end portion I92 provided with a threaded stud or pin 293. The end portion I92 is conformed to fit in the seat provided by the webs I99 and I95 of the bracket I99 having a vertical slot I91 to receive the pin 293. On the pin 293 there is threadedly secured the clamping nut I99 for anchoring the end I92 and therewith the wings I99 and I99 on the bracket I99. The slot I9? obviously may cooperate with the pin 293 and nut I98 for vertical adjustment of the wings I99 and I99 relative to the gauge plate, here numbered I99. In order to facilitate this vertical adjustment, the set screw 2I8 is pro- Vided at the bottom of the slot- I91 to'form an abutment for the stud 293. i

The bracket I99 in turn is provided with a arm portion 299 slidably mounted on the arm portion 29I secured to the hanger 292. In order to provide proper alinement, the arm. portion a slice receiving tray such as the tray I3. As an. instance, after the attendant has finished an order requiring slices to be cut from a fairly bulky object, such as a ham, and the object holder is positioned as shown in Fig. 4, and he is then required to slice an article of smaller diameter such as a bologna of less than two inches in diameter, unless the object holder is adjusted the slices as they arecut would drop on the edge of the tray I3 adjacent the wall I and not infrequently slip off. If, on the other hand, the attendant is enabled to adjust the position of the object holder, that is, position the wings I99 and I99 further downward in some cases into the position shown in Fig. 18

when he desires to slice an object of a small diameter, such as a bologna, he can, of course, insure himself that the slices when liberated will be definitely deposited on the tray I3.

The adjustment mechanism may partake of various well known forms. Inthe present instance the mechanism illustrated consists essen tially of an upright pin 296 to whichis secured; the disk 29'! rotatably mounted in the recess 298' of the arm portion 29L pin 299, see Fig. 19, is pivotally connected to the cam disk 2H to which is secured the lever 2I2.

The lower end of the pin 299 on the other hand extends down below the lower face of the arm portion 29I and has secured thereto the two stop nuts 2I3 and 2I4 immediately below the washer 2I5 disposed to engage the lower face of the arm portion 29L In addition to the elongated slot 299 extending throughout the thickness of the arm portion 200, there is also provided the shallow recess 2I6,

in the present instance shown as extending atright angles to the slot 299 and positioned to receive the projection or lug 2 I1 secured to and extending upwardly from the disk 291.

In operation, whenthe lever 2I2 is depressed and in the position shown in Fig. 17, the lug 2" will position the arm portion 299 inwardly, that is, with the wings I99 and I99 in the position nearest to the hanger 292-. In the position shown in Fig. 18, on the other hand, the lug 2H will position the arm portion 29I in its outermost position. Obviously the lever 2I2 may be anchored at any intermediate position between the two extreme positions shown in Figs. 1'7 and 18. 0b-

viously, too, by raising the lever 2I2 it will. free the disks 2I9 and 2I5 from engagement with the outer faces of the arm portiom 299 and 29I, respectively, and facilitate turning the pin 2199 with its disk 29! in turn to cause the lug 2I'I to move ghe upper arm portion 299 to or from the hanger 92.

In the modification shown in Figs. 20 and. 21 there is provided another construction for carrying the cam 2| 9 in place of the cam 69 of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7. This cam 2I9 is provided to cooperate with the cam roller 229 substantially identical to the cam roller I9I of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7. The cam 2 I9 in this embodiment is secured to the lever 229 provided with the pin 22I journalled in the boss 222. The boss 222 in the present instance is integral with the boss 223, see Fig. 10, secured to the wall 'I and forming an abutment for the lower end of the post or rod 55. One end of the lever 229 adjacent to its pivot pin 22! is provided with a gear segment 224 to mesh with the worm 225 on the shaft 229. The shaft 229 has fixed thereon in the present instance the worm 22'! identical to the worm I99 of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7.

When. a hanger. is provided with a cam roller, such as the cam roller I9I of the mechanism of the embodiment of Fig. 7 for controlling the gradual descent of a slice receiving tray, the cam with which it cooperates must be stationary relative to the reciprocalmovement of the hanger. Obviously various cam constructions can be contrived without departing from the general spirit of the invention. As an instance, the cam construction illustrated in the patent of John Jacob Waage, 2,381,916, dated August 7, 1945, where th cam is disposed below the cam roller, is indicative of another cam construction; In the present application this is a second embodiment showing a construction where the cam, as an instance the cam 2I9, is disposed above the cam roller, as an instance the cam roller 229.

It is obviousthat various changes and modi- This pin 299 extendsa ces 1:11 fications may bemade to the details of, constructhan without departing from, the. general sigu'ritv of thamvention asset forth in the appended claims.

folaim;

L, The. combination ofa, frame, having, a housing aplatform extending. forwardly from thelowon end of said housing, a bracket, extending for.- wandhg from said housingand spaced. from and aboyasaid platform, a. rotatable knife; mounted on said bracket. and forming substantially a, right angle between its. cuttingplane. and said housing a gauge: plateextending forwardly from said housing and registering with the; cutting plane of said knife said. housing having a front,- w-al1= with. an opening therein, a hanger reciprocably mounted; in said housing, a slice receiving tray, at denied for removably connecting. said tray to: said hanger and normally extendingv through, the opening, said front wall, and av cover hingedly connected to -saidplatform to; swingup-wardly and close, the opening, int. said front wall, when said slice receiving tray-has beenremoved',

2. The combination of a frame, a knife operatlvely mounted on. said frame, a. hanger movably mounted, on said frame, an object holder on said. hanger t be actuated with said. hanger into, and out cutting relation with said; knife, a bracket plizotall'y connected, to. said hanger, a stepby step: control mechanism mounted. on. said hanger, means. for anchorin said. bracket to,v said control. mechanism. efiiective. to. lower said bracket a, predetermmed. slice thickness. distance. with each ro clprocation of. said hanger, and asl-ice receiving tray having, an arm. operatively connected tasaid brackelt. said anchoring. means including a pawl and ratchet mechanism and, being. releasable when said; tray and arm. are manually lifted to resaid tray and arm to itsinitial raised. position and turned about the axis of the ratchet.

3.. The, combination of a frame, aknife operatively mounted on saidflfrarne, a hangerreciprocabl-y mounted onsaid frame, an, object holder associated withsaid hanger tobe moved into and out of cuttingrelati'orr with said knife by the reciprocation of said hanger, a bracket on said hanger pivotally mounted below object. holdenan. annconnectedto said bracket, a slice re.- ceiving tray, on the free end of. said arm, a. control mechanism for loweringsaid bracket and there:- with said tray a predetermined. slice thickness distance with each reciprocation of said hanger, said control mechanism including a rotatable. shaft, a ratchet: wheel, fixed on said shaft; and a ratchet: mechanism forreleasably anchoring said bracket to said ratchet wheel to be returned to'mitial' position whenturned about said ratchet wheel.

*kfI-fhe combination of a frame, a knife operativel'y mounted on; said, frame, a hanger reciprocably mounted on said frame, an object, holder c n e to a ha o be mve o nd ontof cutting relation with said knife upon thereciprooation of said hanger, a slice receiving tray, a pantographic device operatively connecting; said hanger to said trayto maintain said in tat-predetermined substantially horizontal position while being moved relativeto-sai'dhanger, a step by step control mechanism mounted on said hanger to beactuated a predetermined diswith eachreciprocation corresponding to a predetermined slice thickness, a mechanism for removably' anchoring said pantographio denies. to, said contro mechanism, and a. pawl and ratchet: mechanism, for. releasably: connecting; pantnr. graphic device to saidcontrot mechanism 1102613?- abiie said tray to be: manually lifted to. initial raised, position when being turned aboutthe axis.

of. the. ratchet.

5. The combination of a frame, a knife opera,- tiizely mounted on. said frame, a hanger reciprocably, mounted on said frame, an object holder connected, to. said hanger to be. moved into and out of cutting relationfwithsaid knife upon the reciprocation of said hanger, a slice receiving tray, a pantographic device operatively connecting said hanger to said tray to maintain said tray in a. predetermined substantially horizontal position While.- being moved relative to said hanger, a, step by step control: mechanism mounted on said hanger to be actuated a predetermined distance with each reciprocation corresponding to a. predetermined slice thickness, and a mecha nism for removably anchoring said pantographic device to said control mechanism, said pantographic device including twoparallel rod elements pivotally connected at one of their ends tosaid hanger and pivotally connected at. their other ends tosaidtray.

- 6;. The combination of a. frame, a knife operatively mounted on said frame, a hanger reciprocably mounted on said' frame, an object holder connected to said hanger to be moved into and out of. cutting, relation with: said knife upon the reciprocation. of said hanger, a slice receiving tray, a pantographic device operatively connecting; said hanger to said tray to maintain said tray in. a predeterminedsubstantially horizontal position While being moved relative to said hanger, a step by step control mechanism mounted on. said hanger to be actuated a predetermined distance with eachreciprooation corresponding to a predetermined slice thickness, said pantographicdevice including a first bracket pivotally connected to said hanger, a rod having one end slidable in said first bracket and its other end pivotally connected to said hanger, a second bracket fixed to said tray, a pair of rods pivotally connected to said second bracket and slidably connected to saidsecond' bracket with one of said rods abutting against the free end of the rod pivotally connected to said hanger, and a mechanism' for released'ly anchoring said first bracket to said control mechanism.

7. The combination of a frame, a knife operativel-ymounted on said frame, a hanger reciprocably mounted on said frame, an object holder mounted on said hanger to be actuated into and out of cutting relation to said knife with the reciprocation of said hanger, a first bracket pivotally'connected to, said hanger, a second bracket, a slice receiving tray mounted at the free end of said second bracket, control mechanism on said hanger actuatable with each reciprocation of said hanger, a, pawl and ratchet mechanism for releasably connecting said first bracket to said control mechanism to enable returning said first bracket and therewith said tray to. initial raised position by turning said first bracket about hanger, mechanism for releasably connecting said first bracket to said control mechanism, and means for removably connecting said second bracket to said first bracket, said removable connecting means including a key way in said first bracket, a spring pressed rod slidably mounted in said second bracket and having a key cooperating with the key way in said first bracket.

9. The combination of a frame, a knife operatively mounted on said frame, a hanger reciprocably mounted on said frame, an object holder mounted on said hanger to be moved into and out of cutting relation to said knife with the reciprocation of said hanger, an arm pivotally connected to said hanger, a slice receiving tray mounted on the free end of said arm, a control mechanism mounted on said hanger to be actuated a distance corresponding to a slice thickness with each reciprocation of said hanger, said control mechanism including a first shaft, a worm fixed on said first shaft, a friction drive operatively associated with said first shaft actuatable with each reciprocation of said hanger, a second shaft, a worm wheel fixed on said second shaft in mesh with said worm, a ratchet wheel fixed on said second shaft, and a ratchet mechanism for releasably anchoring said arm to said ratchet wheel.

10. The combination of a frame having a housing, a platform extending forwardly from the v lower end of said housing and the full length of said housing, a bracket extending forwardly from said housing and spaced from and above said platform to insure a clearance above the platform,

a rotatable knife mounted on said bracket and f forming substantially a right angle between its cutting plane and said housing, a hanger reciprocably mounted in said housing, there being an 14 opening in the rear face of said housing, an arm extending from said hanger through said opening and over to the front face of said housing, an object holder mounted on the free end of said arm in position to be moved into and out of cutting relation to said knife but spaced from said platform to insure a clearance above the same, a gauge plate extending forwardly from said housing and registering with the cuttingplane of said knife but spaced from the platform to insure a clearance above the same, said housing having a front wall with an opening therein, a slice receiving tray, a device for removably connecting said tray to said hanger and normally extending through the opening in said front wall to travel in the clearance above said platform, and a cover hingedly connected to said platform to swing upwardly and close the opening in said front wall when said slice receiving tray has been removed but preserving the clearance above said platform, the clearance above said platform enabling the use of a dish of any desirable length to receive the cut portions when the slice receiving tray has been removed.

CHARLES L. METZLER.

REFERENCES orrED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,630,099 Van Berkel May 24, 1927 2,355,487 Van Berkel Aug. 8, 1944 1,041,763' Farnum Oct. 22, 1912 1,863,317 Wolff June 24, 1932 2,355,354 Wood Aug. 8, 1944 2,381,016 Waage Aug. '7, 1945 

